early morning reader thank you's

Because of my strict No Google Beth policy, I have failed, over the last few weeks to thank some extraordinarily kind people.  I would like to do that now.

Lizzy Burns, the New Jersey librarian who writes the wickedly intelligent A Chair, A Fireplace, & A Tea Cozy, for her tremendous empathy toward in the character Emmy, in this review. 

Sixteen year-old Brianna M., of the School Library Journal Sneak Peak Review team, for giving me a first sense for how a teen reader might feel about You Are My Only, here.

Nicole B., for her continuing kindness toward me and my books, with this review at Linus's Blanket.

Valerie B., of Woven Myst, who sent a Facebook message to me so early on and gave me hope at a time when I had not yet heard from other readers, here.

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A Dangerous Neighbors review and radio talk

And since I seem to be posting inspirational images today, here's one I took at the Please Touch Museum—images of the Observatory at George's Hill.  My Dangerous Neighbors heroine Katherine seeks to see the world from places high above, and towers like these figure in my story.

I post this image, this towering image, to thank the 1st Daughter for her incredibly generous review of Dangerous Neighbors and for her extraordinary words about the book during her interview with Nicole from Linus's Blanket for the Blog Talk Radio Show, "That's How I Blog!"

 

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Thoughts on the Book Blogger Convention, and special thank you's

We spoke of many things at the Book Blogger Convention on our author/blogger relationship panel.  I learned a lot from my fellow panelists, Nicole [Linus's Blanket], Amy [My Friend Amy], Bethanne [The Book Studio], Kristi [The Story Siren], and Caridad Pineiro [Caridad Pineiro's Blog].  Transparency and respectfulness were two recurring themes.  So was the need to blog not with an eye on gain, but with an eye toward community.  I spoke of my respect for bloggers who take time to read books, take time to craft their opinions, take time to share those opinions with the world.  I revealed my recurring worry that there are bloggers out there who have been kind to my books and that I, the author who does not Google Alert herself, does not know and has not said thank you.

Today an angel whispered in my ear, You may want to check out these two blogs, Books and Movies and You've GOTTA read this!.  I did, and may I now say, publicly, thank you, to both the angel and these two generous readers of The Heart is Not a Size.  I learned from both reviews, as I always do, and they are particularly helpful to me today as I turn my attention to a scene in a book that features horses.  Write longer, one urges.  (I am trying.)  Stay focused on the root of people.  I am working on that, too. Thank you both, so much.

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Scenes from the Book Blogger Convention...

which was so well run, so informative, and so rippled through with companionable energy:

The Javitz Convention Center.  Yours truly flanked by the gorgeous Natasha (Maw Books Blog) and the stunning Nicole (Linus's Blanket).  The faithful attendees, of the very last BEA week day, after the very last session, as seen from the very last seat of the Author/Blogger Relationship panel discussion.  Yours truly with the one and only Lenore.  Yours truly with the always-kind Melissa of The Betty and Boo Chronicles.  And never last and never least:  The fabulous Amy of My Friend Amy (in person!) as well as the very dear and intelligent Wendy of Caribousmom. 

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Looking Ahead to the Book Blogger Convention

This is just to say that I am getting very excited about a certain Book Blogger Convention that will be taking place in New York City on May 28th. You won't be surprised to learn that the fine readers/writers behind My Friend Amy, Galleysmith, Maw Books, Linus's Blanket, MotherReader, The Book Lady's Blog, and Hey Lady! Watcha Readin' are masterminding this event, nor that some truly terrific book bloggers, agents, and authors are already registered. I'll be there, too, on a panel now being crafted. I'll be the one who is happiest, above all else, to finally be able to thank some angel-winged people in person.

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